# NTSB SEA91LA218: Piper PA-22-135, N3781A, Mead, WA, August 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1991, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Mead, WA
- Coordinates: 47.830966, -117.210334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8310&lon=-117.2103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA218

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT, AND THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDIITON.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A HOT DAY WITH UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, THE ACFT WAS LOADED AT NEAR MAX GROSS TAKEOFF WT. WHEN THE ACFT REACHED TAKEOFF SPEED, THE PILOT APPLIED FLAPS AND ROTATED, BUT THE ACFT WOULD NOT FLY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF TOO LATE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3781A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3781A-1995-07-03), registration cancelled 1995-07-03, S/N 222023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis W. Van Fossen
- Registered owner: Dennis W. Van Fossen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 70S, Mead, runway 34, 2,550 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,723 total, 364 in this make and model, 1,685 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910822036239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910822036239A), Aug 22, 1991: Piper PA22135, Mead, WA, Destroyed. Began downwind takeoff near gross and hot day. Unable to lift aborted. Ran off end runway into construction debris.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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